Hackers can crack the self-aiming rifle to change its target
TrackingPoint's computer-augmented rifle sights, better known as the ShotView targeting system, have set off a wave of controversy and debate since they first debuted in 2014. That debate is about to get even hotter now that security researchers Runa Sandvik and Michael Auger have shown Wired a way to break into the rifle and shut it down or, even worse, change the target to the hacker's choosing.
According to a report from Wired, the married hackers have developed a method to break into the rifle via a WiFi connection and take command through a series of software exploits. This allows them near complete control over the aiming and firing functions. They can reportedly adjust the scope's trajectory calculations, disable the aiming computer entirely and even prevent the gun from firing in the first place. Last we heard, however, the company was dealing with financial troubles and wasn't taking orders for new weapons so this might not be too much of a problem. The hackers recently gave Wired a demonstration of their attack and plan to present their findings at the Black Hat conference in Las Vegas in August.
